As an intern, you will be in a learning role that is structured to provide you with essential hands-on experience delivering a specific project for the council. You will be working alongside experienced colleagues who will supervise your development and you will have a dedicated mentor to provide you with support and guidance throughout your apprenticeship.

The main role and responsibility of the intern would be to oversee a citizen science project from start to finish over the time that they work with us. Citizen science is when researchers work together with volunteer members of the public to collect and analyse data relating to a specific topic. For example, the Big Butterfly Count is a well-known citizen science project nationally where the public record the location of butterflies they see. This feeds into a national database looking at butterfly populations and conservation.

More locally at the council, we conducted a Citizen Science Project around two years ago on recycling alongside partners at the University. Members of the public conducted surveys in their local area to seek views on attitudes and barriers to recycling. We are keen to run another citizen science project at the council, either to continue the work on recycling or another topic. This project would be the main focus of work for the intern.

The overall aim of the internship will be to conduct a citizen science project with members of the public. One of the learning points from the last citizen science project we conducted was that it would have been beneficial to have one person dedicated to coordinating activity and keeping the project to timescales. By having a dedicated person to the project we would be able to provide a greater level of support to the volunteers which would help maintain their enthusiasm.

The 12-week internship would, therefore, benefit our team as it would enable a greater focus to be placed on the project and lead to better data collection and results. In addition, the internship would benefit our team as the intern will be able to compile a portfolio of materials and resources that can be used and tailored easily for future citizen science projects.

Responsibilities

Assist in the planning and project setup

Assist in training of members of the public in data collection

Support and coordinate members of the public in data collection

Be a key contact if they have any problems or questions

Compile all data collected

Analyse data and interpret results of the citizen science project using a range of quantitative and qualitative methods

Produce a final report on the results of the citizen project

Engagement with a range of key stakeholders to building an understanding of the key audience from discussion with existing staff

Organise and attend meetings

Report for duty on time at work and college as detailed by the employer and college

Complete daily/weekly attendance records

Undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade of the post as required

Team member – Growth Hub, Intelligence, insight and Communications Team

Financial Management

Comply with Council’s financial policies and requirements

Identify and propose opportunities for cost savings or cost recovery

Customer Relationship

Deliver services in accordance with agreed service standards

Monitor and act upon customer feedback to meet or exceed customer satisfaction

Operational Effectiveness and Compliance

Carry out the role in accordance with HR policies and practice

Undertake continuous improvement to improve the effectiveness of activity and services

Comply with all Council Policies in relation to Health and Safety and Information Governance

Escalate risks and issues which may impact any aspect of performance or the Council’s reputation

Organisational Capability and Growth

Participate in team talks and briefings

Carry out tasks in accordance with the Council’s performance management approach

Take personal responsibility for personal development including any Continuous Professional Development

About You

Ability to understand the needs of the city’s diverse and changing population

Ability to implement the Council's Equal Opportunities Policy at a level appropriate to the job

Must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities with due regard to the Council's Equal Opportunities Policy

Be familiar with the Council's Health and Safety Policy

Be aware of and observe any part of the policy related specifically to the duties and responsibilities of the post

Be familiar with the Council's Information Governance policies

Be able to apply the principles of Data Protection to their role and duties to ensure that Council and client data is collected, held and managed appropriately

Able to carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with all relevant Council and professional codes of practice